Per Montgomery Parks: Light up long dark nights. Make decorations and gifts for friends and family. Walk through winter woods. Check out these suggested activities for Friday, December 16, to Sunday, December 18.
Winter Solstice: The winter solstice is on Wednesday, December 21. We have two programs to bring light and warmth to the countdown to the shortest day and longest night of the year.
The public is encouraged to submit ideas via the nature center community input survey.
Montgomery Parks is seeking input from community members about facility hours and the types of programs they would like to see at Montgomery Parks nature centers. The department has launched a nature center community input survey for people to provide feedback. The survey can be accessed online at https://mocoparks.org/NatureInput through the end of January 2023.
Montgomery Parks recognized Montgomery Parks’ Park Manager Tom Baker at today’s Montgomery County Planning Board meeting for his heroic efforts in helping people involved in a plane crash in Montgomery County on November 28, 2022. Baker, who has worked for Montgomery Parks for over 18 years and manages 29 parks in the Rock Creek region of the county, was presented with a certificate of appreciation, signed by Montgomery Parks Director Mike Riley and Interim Montgomery Planning Board Chair Jeffrey Zyontz, which read:
“In appreciation for your professionalism, commitment, support, dedication and service to Montgomery County residents during the November 28, 2022, plane crash.” “Our employees demonstrate their dedication to serving Montgomery County residents every day, but Mr. Baker’s actions clearly go above and beyond,” said Mike Riley, director of Montgomery Parks. “We are very proud of his courageous efforts, which ultimately helped prevent a tragedy.”
‘Tis the season for festivities! Walk through the Garden of Lights display or partake in a candy cane scavenger hunt. “Wood” you believe it, this weekend is our Urban Wood Sale! The full moon was this Wednesday, and although the moon’s waning, there will be plenty of moonlight for a nighttime hike on Friday. Discover these and other activities around Montgomery County for December 9 to 11, 2022.
Get Festive: What better way to spend the holidays than strolling through the area’s best light display? Garden of Lights(opens in a new tab) has one of the brightest one-half mile trails around. New displays at Brookside Gardens include a winter wonderland scene with tall ice-like formations and falling snow, all handcrafted by the experts at Montgomery Parks. Open nightly 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Advance tickets required. How about a hike that comes with a bonus? Hidden treats! Seek out candy canes, as well as nature’s red and white treasures, at Meadowside Nature Center, as you hike this self-guided winter wonderland trail. Multiple times are available on Saturday, December 10, for the Candy Cane Woods program: 1 pm to 3 pm(opens in a new tab), 1:30 pm to 2 pm(opens in a new tab), and 2 pm to 2:30 pm(opens in a new tab).
Montgomery Parks invites the public to the December 2022 session of its Parks Speaker Series on the topic of the TIDES and teen-focused programs. The free session will take place online on December 14, 2022, from 3 – 4 p.m.
During this presentation, Haley McClanahan and Elizabeth Harnett from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy will speak about the success of the TIDES (Teens Interested and Dedicated in Environmental Stewardship) program. They will share how the program got started, the goals of the program, and how participants have helped shape the program into what it is today. They will also speak about the ways they have been able to retain alumni and continue to grow the program through a tiered system.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Per Montgomery County: Every family member must be considered during the holidays and Montgomery Parks will enable dog owners to have outing with their pets at its free “Holiday Barket’ from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cabin John Region Park in Bethesda. Cabin John Regional Park is located 7400 Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. The event will be held in the picnic area across from the park’s train station. The Barket will be an opportunity for dog owners and their pets to explore a handful of small local businesses and outdoor activities. Gifts and accessories for pets will be available from vendors. Food also will be available for dog owners.
Shop for holiday gifts for your pup. Take in a winter light show. Discover birding as a new family hobby. Discover these and other activities around Montgomery Parks for December 2 to 4, 2022.
Holidays: What is on your list for your furry family member? Find presents and enjoy some holiday fun with your dog at our first Holiday Barket(opens in a new tab) on Saturday, December 3, 10 am to 1 pm, at Cabin John Regional Park. Gift and food vendors, photo opportunities, pet services, crafts, and more! Free admission!
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Per Montgomery County: Every family member must be considered during the holidays and Montgomery Parks will enable dog owners to have outing with their pets at its free “Holiday Barket’ from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cabin John Region Park in Bethesda. Cabin John Regional Park is located 7400 Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda. The event will be held in the picnic area across from the park’s train station. The Barket will be an opportunity for dog owners and their pets to explore a handful of small local businesses and outdoor activities. Gifts and accessories for pets will be available from vendors. Food also will be available for dog owners.
Montgomery Parks has a festive lineup of special events and programs in December, including the continuation of the holiday favorite Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens, Holiday Barket, a dog-themed holiday market, several winter solstice celebrations and the return of our Urban Wood Sale. There are many ways to celebrate the holiday season at Montgomery Parks.December events in Montgomery Parks include:
Garden of Lights | Through January 1, 2023 (closed December 24 – 25) | 5 – 9:30 p.m.
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
Per Montgomery Parks: Montgomery Parks(opens in a new tab), part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces its first Holiday Barket, a dog-themed holiday market, on December 3, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cabin John Regional Park. The event will feature dog-friendly accessories and gifts from a handful of local businesses, representatives from community pet service agencies and concessions for purchase.
Per Montgomery Parks: Family and friends in town for the holiday? Get outdoors and enjoy nature together in the parks! Check out these suggested activities for Thanksgiving weekend.
Ice Skating: Everyone loves ice skating! Our indoor ice centers—Cabin John Ice Rink(opens in a new tab) and Wheaton Ice Arena(opens in a new tab)—have public skating sessions this Friday, November 25, to Sunday, November 27. Visit our website for skating schedules.